How to Cook Live Lobsters in the Oven

LIve lobsters are delicious when oven-roasted. (Image: lobster image by Natalya Korolevskaya from Fotolia.com)

Lobster makes a delicious dinner and, because of its cost, is often served for special occasions. Purchasing live lobsters from your local grocery ensures you have a fresh product, something you cannot always be sure of with frozen lobster. Live lobsters also provide you with both tail and claws, which is not always possible with frozen varieties. Fresh lobsters, while presenting challenges, are just as easily cooked in the oven as frozen lobsters.

Things You'll Need

Chef's knife

Pot of boiling water

Broiling pan

Meat thermometer

Lobster seasoning

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Broiling Lobster

Kill the lobster. You can do this by dropping it into a pot of boiling water for approximately six minutes. You can also kill the lobster relatively easily with a chef’s knife. Simply pick a spot between the eyes, about an inch or inch and a half toward the tail. Holding the knife vertically with the sharp side of the blade away from the tail, quickly stab the point of the knife downward. Bring the edge of the knife toward the table, cutting the lobster’s head in half.

Clean the lobster. Only the tail and claws contain edible meat, so isolate these for cooking. To do this, tear the tail and both claws off with your hands by twisting and pulling them until they have detached.

Prepare the lobster. Cut a slit in the back of the lobster and crack it open slightly. When you are finished you should have two equally sized halves, still within the shell. Season the meat and brush it with butter. Place the lobster, slit side up, on a baking sheet broiler pan. Leave claws intact.

Broil the lobster. Turn the broiler on high, and move the rack down to the second highest position in the oven. Let it heat for 10 minutes, then place the lobster in the oven and close the door. After five minutes, inspect the lobster and rotate the pan. Remove the claws at this time. Roast the tail another four minutes. Broil the lobster until its internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The meat should be opaque. Do not overcook the lobster as it will become rubbery.

Baking Lobster

Kill and prepare the lobster as above.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the lobster in a baking dish. Season with melted butter, garlic or lemon if desired.